Surf reef maestro Shaw Mead left ASR 18 months ago - to set up another company building surf reefs (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Surf reef maestro Shaw Mead left ASR 18 months ago - to set up another company building surf reefs
12:00pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in Boscombe
A section of the surf reef
THE man who helped design the Boscombe surf reef left ASR a year and a half ago - to set up a company building reefs with several other former ASR staff.
They worked with ASR, which did not meet its deadline of May 31 this year to repair the damaged and malfunctioning reef.
The website of new firm eCoast has the CVs of six employees – and five of them worked for ASR or “in association” with ASR, including former managing director Shaw Mead.
He told the Daily Echo: “Yes, some of my partners at eCoast previously worked for ASR NZ, although they are technical staff and not part of the construction team who worked on the Boscombe Reef. “I find the present outcome of the Boscombe Reef upsetting.
“eCoast has not been contacted by the Bournemouth council, and while we could provide technical advice if it was required, we do not have construction capabilities.
“I have no further knowledge of the status of the Boscombe Reef since I resigned as an ASR director a year and a half ago.
“If asked, we would be happy to analyse a recent bathymetry survey and dive report of the current status of the Boscombe reef and make recommendations.”
A Bournemouth council spokesman said: “We are aware of eCoast and that some of those involved have previously undertaken work for ASR.”
Comments(26)
politicaltrainspotter
says...
12:24pm Thu 21 Jun 12
wallydown
says...
12:25pm Thu 21 Jun 12
polblagger
says...
12:28pm Thu 21 Jun 12
They stole money for a product the doesn't work, has fallen apart and according to experts would never have worked.
If they were builders or used car salesman they'd be looking at fraud chargers, so why aren't ASR and their former employees?
Bob49
says...
12:48pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Because I suspect that it would be a thread that my unravel to far, exposing an awful lot that many would wish to remain hidden.
Like, why was the Moneycombe development allowed to be built above the skyline and when did the architect/buiders change their agreed plans ?
Agreed, so the 'Cornish Village' style was quickly forgotten once construction started.
Why were the 'upmarket' shops/cafe not built on the pier ?
Why was the stylish piazza in front of the pier not built ?
How much money was taken from the Seafront services budget to provide marketing for the development ?
How much were the Hemingways paid for the surf pods, and how much is still due ?
Over £12m spent and less visitors than before this farce began. No wonder there is no urgency for any transparency coming from Bournemouth council.
The-Bleeding-Obvious
says...
12:53pm Thu 21 Jun 12
polblagger wrote:Perhaps us rate payers should be seeking compensation from our gullible negative IQ councillors for wasting our assets. If BBC had any councillors that were engineers or scientists they would have known from the outset that anything you put in the sea has to be only for the short term and will require constant maintenance to extend its useful life.
When is there going to be a criminal investigation for fraud into the surf reef.
They stole money for a product the doesn't work, has fallen apart and according to experts would never have worked.
If they were builders or used car salesman they'd be looking at fraud chargers, so why aren't ASR and their former employees?
ajj-dorset
says...
12:57pm Thu 21 Jun 12
One assumes they would charge for this service?
Out of interest who is paying the storage costs for the replacement bags BCC bought?
B.F.G
says...
1:02pm Thu 21 Jun 12
dommyball
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1:50pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Why is there no update or announcement from the council surely something must happen when the deadline is passed?
penhale
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3:28pm Thu 21 Jun 12
From the photo of the reef it looks like the most expensive dog turd ever.
Ophilum
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3:55pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Huey
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3:58pm Thu 21 Jun 12
penhale wrote:They went on a 2 week jolly to new zealand before coming back and telling us it was a great idea.
How was Bournemouth council taken in by these crooks in the first place, heads need to roll for this fiasco, they shouldn't be left in charge of our money if they are going to give it to a Dave Wells clone.
From the photo of the reef it looks like the most expensive dog turd ever.
I don't blame ASR or Mead.
If you are going to pull you pants down and bend over, what do you think is going to happen???
The Renegade Master
says...
5:31pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Bob49 wrote:Bob49 we get it ok. You cannot stand the local Council! You make that clear every time you come onto this forum!
"so why aren't ASR and their former employees?”
Because I suspect that it would be a thread that my unravel to far, exposing an awful lot that many would wish to remain hidden.
Like, why was the Moneycombe development allowed to be built above the skyline and when did the architect/buiders change their agreed plans ?
Agreed, so the 'Cornish Village' style was quickly forgotten once construction started.
Why were the 'upmarket' shops/cafe not built on the pier ?
Why was the stylish piazza in front of the pier not built ?
How much money was taken from the Seafront services budget to provide marketing for the development ?
How much were the Hemingways paid for the surf pods, and how much is still due ?
Over £12m spent and less visitors than before this farce began. No wonder there is no urgency for any transparency coming from Bournemouth council.
You claimed in one of your posts recently that your wife works for the Council and is privy to secret information she passes on to you! If so, surely she can answer the points you make, right?
Was Charlie
says...
6:34pm Thu 21 Jun 12
.......
Anyone can see that it's has never worked and needed more than repair and is now beyond putting right.
......
The only recommendations BBC needs is on what it the cheapest way to remove the remains from the seabed so that the minimum of extra council taxpayers money is wasted on getting rid of this white elephant.
BIGTONE
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6:35pm Thu 21 Jun 12
Roband65
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7:11pm Thu 21 Jun 12
woolamai
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7:52pm Thu 21 Jun 12
penhale
says...
8:37am Fri 22 Jun 12
woolamai wrote:Well stay away then.
OMG - I go away for nearly a year and come back and it's like Groundhog Day on here. Only thing missing is that Capt. Ahab prat.
no shite -sherlock
says...
8:37am Fri 22 Jun 12
I saw a "help wanted" sign outside the Urban Reef kitchen the other day - perhaps some making waves washing dishes might be good experience for a change?
btw - Wasn't this the same person who said that he didn't deserve to be paid if the reef did not work? Or was he just kidding?
no shite -sherlock
says...
8:55am Fri 22 Jun 12
"Shaw Mead, visiting Dorset for the start of land-based preparation work, said he is certain it will deliver the goods.
"I am extremely confident and have signed a contract which means I will not get paid if the reef doesn't do the job," he added. "I would not have taken it on if I didn't think it was going to work."
"
Mr Mead, founder of New Zealand-based ASR (Amalgamates Solutions and Research) said doubts about the success of a reef constructed by his company in Mount Maunganui were premature."
oh what a tangled ..........
Tom 'Boscombe' Jones
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1:30pm Fri 22 Jun 12
woolamai
says...
8:35pm Fri 22 Jun 12
I must say Boscombe Beach is looking remarkably lovely at the moment. I like the way someone removed all the sand from the beach while I was away and just left some black stained gravel and mud in it's place. And the slick of c**p floating out there at the moment is a lovely touch. All just in time for summer.
Sadly I will have to leave again. The Western Cape was fantastic but flippin' freezin in the water so it's somewhere warmer for me next time and closer to home. But with the wonders of the web I'll watch with interest to see when you guys actually manage to get something done. You've been on the case for a few years now so I guess it must be imminent - although this is England so maybe you'll need another few years before you actually do anything effective.
Bob49
says...
9:38pm Fri 22 Jun 12
And people wonder why the place is deserted.
Last summer was probably the worst I have seen in my lifetime - given how badly things have deteriorated since then (beachwise) I would be surprised if there is anyone there at all this summer.
Which has one unwelcome bonus - there will be no visitors being disturbed when they finally get round to dredging out what remains of the broken reef.
no shite -sherlock
says...
10:40pm Fri 22 Jun 12
Mr Mead, founder of New Zealand-based ASR (Amalgamates Solutions and Research) said doubts about the success of a reef constructed by his company in Mount Maunganui were premature."
Seems Mr Mead was quite content to assume all responsibility then - but now with "someone removed all the sand from the beach while I was away and just left some black stained gravel and mud in it's place." -who do we think is responsible for that? Who is the someone Mr Wolamai is alluding to?
Is the Mt Maunganui reef a success or not, are we to seek guidance from its success? (if so)
Yankee1
says...
10:49pm Sat 23 Jun 12
'Bait and Switch'
It works a treat when the perps find rubes to buy their pitch.
Which, in this case, it seems they did.
no shite -sherlock
says...
8:26pm Wed 27 Jun 12
Yankee1 wrote:How often do they come back for a second bite of the cherry?
We have a term for that in the US. Perhaps you do, too.
'Bait and Switch'
It works a treat when the perps find rubes to buy their pitch.
Which, in this case, it seems they did.
whataboutthat says...
12:06pm Thu 21 Jun 12